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This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyses the roles and motivations of women associated with katiba Macina in Mali and Boko Haram in Niger. It details how these violent extremist groups (VEGs) utilise women for recruitment, logistics, intelligence, and operational tasks, while examining the diverse pathways—ranging from voluntary association to kidnapping—that lead women into these groups.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the interconnected dynamics of violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and local conflicts in the Liptako-Gourma region, spanning Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Based on approximately 800 interviews, the study argues that extremist groups are pragmatic actors that exploit local economic vulnerabilities, governance failures, and community tensions to sustain their operations and expand their influence.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies challenges the conventional narrative that youth unemployment and religious fanaticism are the primary drivers of young people joining armed jihadist groups in Mali. Based on interviews with 63 previously involved youths, the study identifies a complex interplay of 15 different factors—including protection, coercion, and state absence—and argues that generic 'radicalisation' frameworks often miss the local realities of engagement.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the proliferation of armed groups in Mali following the 2012 crisis, examining the motivations behind their creation, the dynamics of their alliances, and the challenges facing the implementation of the June 2015 peace agreement.

This policy brief evaluates the capacity-building efforts of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), specifically regarding the Malian police. Based on field research from May 2014, the authors argue that the mission is struggling due to inadequate deployment in northern Mali, a lack of logistical infrastructure, and a decline in local popularity. The brief recommends a more holistic approach to capacity-building that moves beyond individual training to include institutional support and confidence-building measures to restore trust between the population and state security forces.

This case study examines the participatory management of the Samori forest in the commune of Baye, Mali, analyzing the intersection of NGO-led community initiatives, state administration, and the process of democratic decentralization. The author argues that despite the presence of participatory structures, a true democratic decentralization has not occurred because power and decision-making authority remain concentrated with the state and the facilitating NGO, rather than being transferred to representative local institutions.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the escalation of violence in central Mali, specifically following a March 23 attack on Ogossagou. It argues that government responses, including military operations and local dialogues, have been insufficient and often exacerbate tensions by stigmatizing specific communities or failing to provide a coordinated national strategy for security and justice.